Lessons from Tiger the Cat

As many of you know, a cat recently showed up in the woods here at Pudding Creek. A charming and clever cat, he quickly made a home for himself in my heart. Tiger the cat comes with me down to the creek where we listen to the water and watch the various happenings in the woods.

Each time Tiger does downward kitty and upward kitty after sitting for some time, I learn what it is to be embodied. When he climbs the apple tree to play while I pick the last of the apples, I learn joy. When we sit in the woods together, I learn to hear what I had missed before.

What brings your curiosity alive? What have you been learning? Maybe you are learning to flow so you sit next to a creek or river to study what flow is like. The ocean teaches stillness amidst the rhythms of tide and wave. Meditation can be a learning process of seeing patterns and tendencies. We can learn about tenderness and we can learn about quantum physics. It could be an intellectual pursuit, but just as easily it could be an intuitive knowing, or how to make pumpkin pie. It could be compassion for yourself or forgiveness while holding clear boundaries. We can learn from everything and everyone. Light yourself up. This world is a gift.